Eriogonum aborescens - Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat

Eriogonum aborescens - Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat

Pot size: 4"x4"

This shrub is endemic to the Channel Islands of California. It may be anywhere from one half to two meters in height and sprawl from one half to three meters in diameter across the ground. The stems bear narrow, fuzzy green leaves at the ends of the branches, each 2 to 5 centimeters long and sometimes with edges rolled under. The bush erects clusters of densely clustered, frilly flowers on nearly naked peduncles. Each flower is only a few millimeters wide, very light pink in color, with nine protruding stamens. The flowers turn brown as they age. The bark is red and ribbony. This is an uncommon plant in its native range on a few of the Channel Islands. It has also been planted as highway landscaping and in gardens on mainland California, where the shrub is not native.

Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat is easy to grow. Plant on dry, well drained shallow slopes or flats, and surround with plenty of mulch or rocks. It's extremely drought tolerant, and after the first two years should need no supplemental summer water. Even when drought-stressed in the summer, the plant looks beautiful, turning a beautiful silvery green color as the soil dries out.

Attracts various birds, butterflies and other insects.